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The Dispensaries at Shaukiwan and Wanchai are excellent buildings of their kind, as are also those of Yaumati and Kowloon City on the Kowloon side. The Western Dispensary has been much improved. The Central Dispensary is very small for the work it does.
461. This year has been marked by a general increase in the patients of all the dispensaries. Equipment has been improved and new instruments purchased. Besides instruments for small minor operations, two of the institutions have their own microscopes. It is hoped that in the near future all will be provided with microscopes, which are very necessary for diagnosing and differentiating the malaria cases which form such a large percentage of those attending.
462. Sick too serious for outpatient treatment were transported to hospitals by means of ambulances.
463. As mentioned before, once a week at each of the Dispensaries a gynaecological clinic is held by one of the Government Lady Medical Officers. In some there are two clinics a week.
464. Situated in the most thickly populated districts, they fulfil a most useful purpose, not only in the treatment of disease but also as foci for the spread of knowledge concerning the cause of disease, and as the means of spread of the value of Western drugs and methods both in prevention and cure. During the year, very good propaganda work was done by four street orators appointed by the Committee.
465. Last but not least, each dispensary has a room attached to it where dead bodies can be received for transport to the mortuaries preliminary to burial. Coffins are provided free.